Just Pups ordered to close after 67 puppies found in van, mayor says

Dogs at animal hospital

PARAMUS -- The Paramus pet store, where police found 67 puppies unattended in a van, was closed Wednesday by borough officials, the mayor said.

The borough's governing body also urged the Board of Health to revoke the business license for Just Pups on Route 17, according to Mayor Richard LaBarbiera. The shop was closed pending the ongoing investigation by local and county authorities.

Officials were also preparing nearly 400 unspecified summonses, a statement from the mayor said.

Oradell Animal Hospital said it was caring for four puppies from the shop. The dogs are not up for adoption.

"We have received many calls and emails of concern on the puppies that were brought to us on Monday after being found in the van," the Paramus-based hospital said. "They have been cared for my many of our highly specialized doctors and technicians."

We never abused our puppies, owner says

Paramus police said they discovered the puppies left in the van outside the pet store around 3 a.m. Monday. The dogs were in undersized crates, in cold temperatures and some of the puppies were covered in feces, according to police.

Just Pups owner Vincent LoSacco disputed the claims by police about conditions inside the van. LoSacco said he customized the van for transporting puppies to include a heating system and the crates were large enough for six dogs.

Officials with Tyco Animal Control took most of the dogs and was investigating. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office has said it is also investigating.

Emerson Mayor Louis J. Lamatina said Tuesday he ordered officials to reinspect a Just Pups location in the borough after the Paramus allegations surfaced. A health inspector found four violations, including disease control issues, according to documents released by the borough.

LoSacco's East Brunswick store had its license revoked after he was charged with 267 counts of animal cruelty. He has said the slew of charges all stemmed from one inspection.

"We've never abused or neglected our puppies," LoSacco previously told NJ Advance Media. "I myself and the people that work for me love animals and we go to huge extents to take care of them and keep them healthy."

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.